WO2010010795A1 - Learning device and learning method in article conveyance facility - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a learning device and a learning method used in an article conveyance facility capable of accurately learning a position adjustment amount.  A learning control device executes alignment processing, first imaging processing, and first shift amount calculation processing for obtaining a reference shift amount between an imaging reference position and a detection mark in the horizontal direction based on imaging information imaged in the first imaging processing and obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position shift amount.  When the reference position shift amount obtained in the first shift amount calculation processing is out of a preset allowable range, the learning control device executes correction alignment processing for operating a position adjustment device in order to adjust the position of a second learning jig according to an obtained shift adjustment amount, second imaging processing, and second shift amount calculation processing for obtaining a reference position shift amount between an imaging reference position and a detection mark in the horizontal direction based on imaging information imaged in the second imaging processing and obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position shift amount and the shift adjustment amount.

Description

Learning apparatus and learning method in article transport facility

The present invention includes a moving vehicle configured to move along a moving path, including a gripping unit that grips an article in a suspended state, elevating means for moving the gripping unit up and down with respect to the moving vehicle, and the movement Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the grip portion in a horizontal direction with respect to the vehicle, and moving the grip portion by moving the grip portion up and down while stopping the moving vehicle at a target stop position of the movement path. The present invention relates to a learning apparatus and a learning method in an article transport facility for transferring an article to / from a transfer support unit disposed on a lower side of a path.

In the article transport facility as described above, a plurality of transfer support portions are provided along the movement path, and the article is transported between the plurality of transfer support portions. And when transferring between each transfer support part, the holding | grip part is raised / lowered with respect to the transfer support part in the state which stopped the moving vehicle to the target stop position of a movement path | route. However, simply moving the gripping part up and down relative to the transfer support part should cause the gripping part to be originally positioned in the horizontal direction due to errors in the installation position of the transfer support part and shaking when the gripping part is raised and lowered. May be out of position. Therefore, for each transfer support part, it is possible to learn the horizontal position adjustment amount when the gripping part is raised and lowered with respect to the transfer support part in a state where the moving vehicle is stopped at the target stop position. Necessary. The learning device and the learning method in the article transport facility according to the present invention are for learning such a position adjustment amount. And when actually transferring between each support part for transfer, the position adjustment of the holding | grip part in a horizontal direction is performed using the learned position adjustment amount.

In the learning device in the conventional article transport facility, a position that can be attached to the transfer support unit and that corresponds to the target transfer reference position in the horizontal direction in the transfer support unit in a state of being attached to the transfer support unit And a first learning member having a detection mark for displaying the image, and an imaging means that can be gripped by the gripping portion and can capture the detection mark by capturing an image below the gripping portion while being gripped by the gripping portion. The second learning member and the moving operation of the moving vehicle, the raising / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering means, and the imaging operation of the imaging means are controlled to stop the moving vehicle at the target stop position with respect to the transfer support portion. Learning control means is provided that learns the amount of position adjustment in the horizontal direction when raising and lowering the grip part relative to the transfer support part. Then, the learning control means moves the moving vehicle to the target stop position with respect to the transfer support unit, and the second learning member gripped by the grip unit in the state adjusted to the reference adjustment position is used as the transfer support unit. Positioning processing is performed to raise and lower the grip portion so as to be positioned at a target height with respect to the attached first learning member. Here, the reference adjustment position is, for example, that the center position of the gripping part coincides with the center position of the mobile vehicle in the lateral width direction of the mobile vehicle, and the lateral width direction and the front-back direction of the gripping part are the mobile vehicle in the rotational direction around the vertical axis. The position coincides with the horizontal width direction and the front-back direction. The learning control unit is configured to capture an image of the imaging unit to capture the detection mark after execution of the positioning process, and the imaging determined in the center of the captured image range based on the imaging information captured in the imaging process. A reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the reference position and the detection mark is obtained, and a deviation amount calculation process for obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position deviation amount is executed (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

JP 2003-192269 A

In the learning device in the conventional article transport facility, the learning control means obtains the reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and the detection mark based on the imaging information in the deviation amount calculation processing. For example, when the imaging means is a camera using a convex lens, if the detection mark is located at the end of the captured image range, the actual reference position deviation amount and the reference position deviation amount obtained from the imaging information There will be a difference. Therefore, there is a possibility that the reference position deviation amount cannot be obtained accurately, and since the position adjustment amount is obtained from the obtained reference position deviation amount, the position adjustment amount may not be obtained accurately.

The present invention has been made paying attention to this point, and one of its purposes is to accurately obtain the reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and the detection mark, and to adjust the position adjustment amount. The object is to provide a learning device and a learning method in an article transport facility that can be accurately learned.

In order to achieve this object, a learning device in an article transporting facility according to the present invention includes a gripping unit that grips an article in a suspended state and is configured to move along a moving path, and the movement Lifting means for raising and lowering the grip part with respect to the vehicle, and position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the grip part with respect to the moving vehicle in a horizontal direction are provided, and the mobile vehicle is placed at a target stop position on the movement route. A learning apparatus in an article transport facility for transferring an article to and from a transfer support section disposed on a lower side of the moving path by raising and lowering the gripping part in a stopped state, Detection that is configured to be attached to the transfer support unit and displays a position corresponding to a target transfer reference position in the horizontal direction in the transfer support unit in a state of being attached to the transfer support unit. for The first learning member having a mark and the gripping part are configured to be gripped by the gripping part, and the detection mark is picked up by capturing an image below the gripping part while being gripped by the gripping part. A second learning member including an imaging unit; a moving operation of the moving vehicle; an elevating operation of the elevating unit; an adjustment operation of the position adjusting unit; and an imaging operation of the imaging unit; Learning control means for learning a horizontal adjustment amount when the gripping part is raised and lowered with respect to the transfer support part in a state where the gripping part is stopped at a target stop position with respect to the transfer support part The learning control means moves the movable vehicle to the target stop position with respect to the transfer support section, and adjusts the gripping section to a reference adjustment position by the position adjusting means. Grabbed second learning Positioning processing for raising and lowering the grip portion so that the member is positioned at a target height with respect to the first learning member attached to the transfer support portion, and imaging the detection mark after the positioning processing is performed Therefore, based on the first imaging process to be imaged by the imaging unit and the imaging information captured by the first imaging process, the imaging reference position determined in the center of the captured image range and the detection mark in the horizontal direction And a first deviation amount calculation process for obtaining the position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position deviation amount, and is obtained by the first deviation amount calculation process. If the reference position deviation amount is out of the allowable setting range, the second learning member is adjusted based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging process. All A correction positioning process for operating the position adjusting unit, a second imaging process for imaging the imaging unit to capture the detection mark after the correction positioning process, and a second imaging process. Based on the captured image information, a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position determined in the center of the captured image range and the detection mark is obtained, and the obtained reference position deviation amount and the movement adjustment are obtained. And a second deviation amount calculation process for obtaining the position adjustment amount from the amount.

According to such a configuration, the learning control unit performs the positioning process, the first imaging process, and the first deviation amount calculation process, and obtains the learning control unit based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process. If the reference position deviation amount is within the setting allowable range, the detection mark is positioned on the center side of the captured image range, and the reference position deviation amount is accurately determined based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process. The position adjustment amount can be accurately obtained from the obtained reference position deviation amount.

On the other hand, if the reference positional deviation amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process is out of the setting allowable range, it can be determined that the detection mark is positioned at the end of the captured image range. . Therefore, the learning control unit performs the correction positioning process, and adjusts the position of the second learning member based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process, thereby detecting the detection mark. Can be positioned at the center of the captured image range. Then, the learning control means performs the second imaging process and the second deviation amount calculation process in a state in which the correction positioning process is performed, so that the reference position deviation amount is based on the imaging information imaged in the second imaging process. In addition, the position adjustment amount can be accurately obtained by adding not only the reference position deviation amount but also the movement adjustment amount.
From the above, it is possible to realize a learning apparatus in an article transport facility that can accurately obtain the reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and the detection mark and accurately learn the position adjustment amount. It was.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the learning control unit is configured to obtain a reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process as the movement adjustment amount in the correction positioning process. .

With such a configuration, when the learning control means performs the correction positioning process, the position of the second learning member is adjusted by the reference displacement amount obtained in the first displacement amount calculation process. If the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process is out of the setting allowable range, the detection mark is changed from the imaging reference position determined at the center of the captured image range to the first deviation amount calculation process. It is located on the end side of the captured image range by the reference position deviation amount obtained in the above. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the second learning member by the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process, the detection mark is shifted from the imaging reference position toward the end of the captured image range. Correspondingly, the position of the detection mark can be adjusted. As a result, the position of the detection mark can be accurately adjusted, and the detection mark can be reliably positioned at the center of the captured image range.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the learning control means, when the reference positional deviation amount obtained in the second deviation amount calculation process is out of the set allowable range, the correction positioning process, the second It is preferable that the imaging process and the second deviation amount calculation process are executed again, and an abnormal state is set when the number of executions of the second deviation amount calculation process reaches an allowable number or more.

According to such a configuration, the learning control unit does not perform the second deviation amount calculation process only once, but the reference position deviation amount obtained in the second deviation amount calculation process is out of the setting allowable range. Repeatedly, a more accurate position adjustment amount can be obtained. In addition, the learning control means does not simply repeat the second deviation amount calculation process, and if the number of executions exceeds the allowable number, the reference position deviation amount remains within the setting allowable range even if the correction positioning process is repeated. As an abnormal state that does not occur, it is possible to obtain an accurate position adjustment amount while avoiding unnecessary calculation without learning the position adjustment amount in the abnormal state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the position adjusting means can adjust the position of the grip portion in the horizontal direction of the mobile vehicle in the horizontal direction with respect to the mobile vehicle, and can turn the grip portion around the vertical axis. Composed of
In the first deviation amount calculation process and the second deviation amount calculation process, the learning control unit uses the detection mark and the imaging reference position in the horizontal width direction of the moving vehicle as the reference position deviation amount. It is preferable that the shift amount and the rotation shift amount in the rotation direction around the vertical axis between the detection mark and the imaging reference position are determined.

According to such a configuration, the learning control unit obtains the lateral shift amount and the rotational shift amount that can be adjusted by the position adjusting unit as the reference positional shift amount in the first shift amount calculation process and the second shift amount calculation process. be able to. Thereby, the learning control means can learn the position adjustment amount in the lateral width direction of the mobile vehicle and the position adjustment amount around the vertical axis as the position adjustment amount. Therefore, when actually transferring to and from the transfer support unit, the position adjustment means adjusts the position of the gripping part in the lateral width direction and around the vertical axis of the moving vehicle based on the learned position adjustment amount. It is possible to perform proper transfer. As a result, the learning control means can accurately learn the position adjustment amount for performing proper transfer.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the learning control unit moves the detection mark and the imaging reference position as the reference position deviation amount in the first deviation amount calculation process and the second deviation amount calculation process. The amount of front-rear deviation in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is obtained. It is preferable to be configured so as to be in an abnormal state.

According to such a configuration, the learning control means calculates the position adjustment amount on the condition that the obtained front-rear deviation amount is within the setting allowable range, so that the target transfer reference position in the front-rear direction of the moving vehicle. In contrast, the position adjustment amount can be obtained in a state where the grip portion is not displaced, and an accurate position adjustment amount can be obtained. For example, if the gripping portion is deviated from the target transfer reference position in the front-rear direction of the moving vehicle because the target stop position is deviated from the original target stop position, the learning control unit performs the first deviation amount calculation process. In the second deviation amount calculation process, the obtained front-rear deviation amount deviates from the setting allowable range, resulting in an abnormal state. As a result, when the moving vehicle whose position cannot be adjusted by the position adjusting means is shifted in the front-rear direction, an abnormal state occurs. For example, processing such as correcting the target stop position to the original target stop position can be performed. Thus, it is possible to perform processing suitable for eliminating the displacement of the moving vehicle in the front-rear direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the learning control unit causes the imaging unit to image a plurality of times for the detection mark in the first imaging process and the second imaging process, and the first deviation amount. In the calculation process and the second deviation amount calculation process, imaging unit deviation amount data indicating a deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the detection mark and the imaging reference position in each of a plurality of times of imaging is obtained, and the obtained plural In the imaging unit deviation amount data, the data whose deviation amount is outside the effective measurement range is excluded and data within the effective measurement range is extracted, and the number of extracted imaging unit deviation amount data is greater than or equal to the set number It is desirable that the plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data be averaged to obtain the reference position deviation amount.

According to such a configuration, the learning control means does not simply obtain the reference position deviation amount from the imaged imaging information, but first, from the plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data obtained by the shaking of the gripping part, etc. After excluding data outside the inappropriate measurement effective range, such as when the detection mark could not be imaged, and extracting only the data within the proper measurement effective range imaging the detection mark, the extracted multiple Since the reference unit deviation amount is obtained by averaging the imaging unit deviation amount data, an accurate positional deviation amount can be obtained. Further, the learning control means obtains the reference position deviation amount by averaging the plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data on the condition that the number of extracted imaging unit deviation amount data is equal to or larger than the set number. If the number of unit deviation amount data is less than the set number, the calculation of the reference position deviation amount is not performed on the assumption that an accurate reference position deviation amount cannot be obtained. As a result, it is possible to obtain a more accurate displacement amount while avoiding useless calculations.

Further, in the article transport facility, the amount of lowering of each transfer support unit until the gripper is lowered from the reference lift position to the target transfer height due to an error in the installation height of the transfer support unit is different. There is. Therefore, in order to properly transfer the article to and from the transfer support unit, when the gripping unit is lowered from the reference lift position to the target transfer height with the moving vehicle stopped at the target stop position. It is necessary to learn the target descent amount.

A learning device in a conventional article transport facility is provided with lift amount detecting means for detecting the lift amount of the grip portion relative to the moving vehicle, and the grip portion is moved from the reference lift position to the target transfer position while the mobile vehicle is stopped at the target stop position. A manual operation is performed so as to lower the height, and the target lowering amount is obtained from the detection information of the lifting amount detection means when the manual operation is performed.

Since the learning device in the conventional article transporting equipment lowers the gripping part by manual operation, the troublesome work of manually operating the gripping part is necessary and the lowering speed when the gripping part is lowered is low. The speed is low, and it takes time to lower the gripping portion from the reference ascending position to the target transfer height, and there is a possibility that the time required for the work for learning the target lowering amount becomes longer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an artificially operated command means and a lift amount detecting means for detecting a lift amount of the grip portion with respect to the mobile vehicle are provided, and the learning control means transfers the mobile vehicle to the transfer vehicle. Learning a target lowering amount when the gripper is lowered from a reference ascent position to a target transfer height with respect to the transfer support part in a state where the gripper is stopped at the target stop position with respect to the support part; When the learning mode is commanded by the manual operation command means while the gripping part is gripping the second learning member, the mobile vehicle is operated so as to stop the mobile vehicle at the target stop position. And a lowering process for controlling the operation of the elevating means to lower the gripping part at a set lowering speed, and a bottom part of the second learning member during the lowering process. Contact detection means When it is detected that the bottom of the second learning member has landed on the transfer support part, a descending amount calculation process for obtaining a target descending amount is performed based on detection information of the ascending / descending amount detecting means at that time. The command means is configured to execute a command for lowering the acceleration to the learning control means so as to lower the grip at a speed higher and lowering speed than the set lower speed, and the speed reduction and lowering thereof. The learning control means is configured to be switchable to a non-command state in which no command is given, and when the speed-up / down command is commanded by the command means during execution of the descent process, the speed-up / down speed It is preferable that the operation of the elevating means is controlled so as to lower the grip portion.

According to such a configuration, when the learning control means performs the descending process and the descending amount calculation process when the learning mode is instructed by the manually operated instruction means, the operator can use the instruction means to the learning control means. On the other hand, the target lowering amount can be learned only by commanding the learning mode. Moreover, when the acceleration control command is instructed by the commanding unit during the execution of the lowering process, the learning control unit operates the lifting unit so as to lower the gripping portion at an acceleration lowering speed faster than the set lowering speed. To control. As a result, the gripping unit can be lowered at a faster lowering speed by a simple operation in which the operator commands an acceleration / lowering command using the command means, and the gripping unit is moved from the reference ascent position to the target transfer height. Time to descend can be shortened. From the above, it has become possible to realize a learning apparatus in an article transport facility that can shorten the time required for the work for learning the target lowering amount while simplifying the work.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the learning control unit detects that the bottom portion of the second learning member has bottomed out by the contact detection unit, the commanding unit issues the speed increase / decrease command. When commanded, it is preferably configured to be in an abnormal state.

When the moving vehicle actually transfers the article to or from the transfer support part, the grip part is lowered from the reference ascent position to the target transfer height, but the article due to the collision with the transfer support part. In order to prevent the damage, the lowering speed of the gripping portion is low when the gripping portion reaches the target transfer height. Therefore, when learning the target lowering amount, the lowering speed of the gripping part when the gripping part reaches the target transfer height is set to a low speed so that the target lowering amount is set in a state in accordance with the actual transfer. It is possible to obtain an accurate target lowering amount. Therefore, in the above configuration, when the learning control unit detects that the bottom of the second learning member has reached the bottom by the contact detection unit, the speed increasing / decreasing command is commanded by the command unit. The gripping part is in an abnormal state because the descending speed is too high. Then, by setting the set lowering speed to a speed in accordance with the actual transfer, the learning control means, when the contact detecting means detects that the bottom of the second learning member has reached the bottom, the command means If the speed increase / decrease command is not commanded, it is possible to learn the accurate target lowering amount on the assumption that the lowering speed of the gripper is a speed in accordance with the actual transfer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the command means is switched to the command state in accordance with a manual operation from the non-command state to the command state, and the manual operation from the non-command state to the command state is canceled. It is preferable to be configured to return to the non-command state.

According to such a configuration, the command means is maintained in the non-command state if there is no manual operation by the worker, and is switched to the command state only when there is a manual operation by the worker. As a result, the lowering speed when lowering the gripping portion is basically the set lowering speed, and becomes the increased lowering speed only when there is a manual operation by the operator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gripper from being lowered at an increased speed and lowered speed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the learning control means raises the gripping portion at a set ascending speed faster than the set descending speed when the gripping portion is raised to the moving vehicle stopped at the target stop position. In order to achieve this, it is preferable that the gripper ascending process for controlling the operation of the elevating means is performed.

According to this configuration, after obtaining the target lowering amount by the learning control means, the gripping part is raised to the moving vehicle stopped at the target stop position. At this time, the learning control means performs the gripping part raising process. Will do. As a result, the gripper can be raised quickly, and the time required for the operation for learning the target lowering amount can be shortened.
In the learning method in the article transport facility having steps corresponding to these configurations, it is possible to obtain merits corresponding to the various configurations described above.

It is a side view of article conveyance equipment. It is a side view of a mobile vehicle. It is a vertical front view of a mobile vehicle. It is a control block diagram of the learning apparatus in article conveyance equipment. It is a top view of the member for 1st learning. It is a side view of the 2nd member for learning. It is a top view of the member for 2nd learning. It is a flowchart of a learning process. It is a figure which shows raising / lowering of the holding part in a learning process. It is a figure which shows the state which the member for 2nd learning reached the station in the learning process. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the mark for a detection, and the captured image range of a camera.

The learning apparatus for article transport equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the present invention is a learning device in an article conveyance facility, the article conveyance facility will be described first.

This article conveyance facility is provided, for example, in a clean room provided with a downflow type purified air ventilation means for allowing purified air to flow downward from the ceiling side.
As shown in FIG. 1, the article transport facility is provided with a guide rail 2 (corresponding to a movement path) in a state of passing through a plurality of article processing units 1, and a movable vehicle 3 that is movable along the guide rail 2. Is provided. The moving vehicle 3 is configured to convey a container 5 (corresponding to an article) containing a semiconductor substrate between the plurality of article processing units 1. The article processing unit 1 is configured to perform a predetermined process on a semi-finished product or the like in the process of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate.

The moving vehicle 3 includes a grip portion 4 that grips the container 5 in a suspended state. In the state where the moving vehicle 3 is stopped, the gripping unit 4 winds or unwinds the wire 6, thereby moving the article 6 placed below the moving vehicle 3 and the reference ascending position to be positioned close to the moving vehicle 3. And a target transfer height for transferring articles to and from a station 7 (corresponding to a transfer support unit). Incidentally, in FIG. 1, as indicated by the downward arrow, when the gripper 4 is lowered from the reference ascent position to the target transfer height, and as indicated by the upward arrow, the gripper 4 is moved to the target transfer height. It shows a case of raising to the reference raising position.

The station 7 is configured by a mounting table provided on a floor portion on which the container 5 is mounted and supported. The station 7 places the container 5 in a state where the plurality of engagement pins P (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the mounting table are engaged with the grooves provided on the bottom of the container 5 and the container 5 is positioned. It is configured to be placed. The station 7 is for receiving the container 5 that performs the predetermined processing in the article processing unit 1 from the moving vehicle 3 or delivering the container 5 that has been subjected to the predetermined processing in the article processing unit 1 to the moving vehicle 3. These are disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of article processing units 1.
The moving vehicle 3 moves along the guide rail 2 with the grip 4 positioned at the reference ascending position, and stops at a target stop position corresponding to the transfer target station 7 among the plurality of stations 7. Thus, the container 5 is transferred to and from the station 7 by raising and lowering the grip 4 between the reference raised position and the target transfer height. The guide rail 2 is installed in a fixed state on the ceiling by a guide rail bracket 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile vehicle 3 includes an upper vehicle body 9 positioned in the inner space of the guide rail 2 and a lower vehicle body 12 positioned below the guide rail 2. It is connected and configured.
The upper vehicle body 9 includes a primary coil 14 in a state in which the upper vehicle body 9 is close to and opposed to a magnet 13 provided in an inner space portion of the guide rail 2. The upper vehicle body 9 is a linear motor type that obtains a propulsive force by a linear motor composed of a magnet 13 and a primary coil 14, and the moving vehicle 3 is configured to move along the guide rail 2 by this propulsive force. . In the inner space of the guide rail 2, a traveling guide surface 16 for the traveling wheel 15 provided in the upper vehicle body 9 and a vibration guiding surface 18 for the retaining ring 17 provided in the upper vehicle body 9 are formed.
The guide rail 2 is provided with a power supply line 19, and the upper vehicle body 9 is provided with a power receiving coil 20. A magnetic field is generated in the power supply line 19 by energization of an alternating current, and the required power on the mobile vehicle 3 side is generated by this magnetic field. It is configured to generate power in the power receiving coil 20 and perform power supply in a non-contact state.

In this embodiment, as a method of driving the upper vehicle body 9, a linear motor type in which driving force is obtained by a linear motor is exemplified. However, for example, an electric motor that rotationally drives the traveling wheels 15 is provided, and this electric motor is provided. A method of driving the upper vehicle body 9 by rotating the traveling wheels 15 with a motor can also be used.

The lower vehicle body 12 includes a front and rear frame body 21 extending in the front-rear direction of the mobile vehicle 3, and a pair of front and rear vertical frame bodies 22 extending downward from the front end portion and the rear end portion of the front and rear frame body 21. The lower vehicle body 12 is formed in a U-shape with the lower side opened in a side view, and the grip portion 4 is disposed at the center in the front-rear direction.

Below the front and rear frame body 21, a slide movement mechanism 23 (corresponding to position adjusting means), an elevating mechanism 24 (corresponding to elevating means), and a grip portion 4 are provided in this order from the upper side. The elevating mechanism 24 and the grip portion 4 are supported by the slide moving mechanism 23 so as to be slidable in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3 with respect to the front and rear frame body 21. The grip portion 4 is supported by the elevating mechanism 24 so as to be movable up and down with respect to the front and rear frame body 21.

The slide moving mechanism 23 is fixed to the front / rear frame 21 and extends in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3, and a pair of concave and front guide rails 25, and a lifting / lowering support body 26 that supports the lifting / lowering mechanism 24. 25, a pair of convex front and rear guide bodies 27 that engage with 25, a slide drive motor 28 for moving the guide body 27 along the guide rail 25, a ball screw 29, and a connecting body 30 are provided. The slide moving mechanism 23 reciprocates the connecting body 30 that connects the ball screw 29 and the guide body 27 in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3 by rotationally driving the ball screw 29 by the slide drive motor 28. Thereby, the guide body 27 is reciprocated in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3 with respect to the guide rail 25, and the lifting mechanism 24 and the grip portion 4 are slid in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3 with respect to the front and rear frame body 21. The

The elevating mechanism 24 includes an elevating body 31 on which the grip portion 4 is fixedly supported, an elevating drive motor 32 for elevating the elevating body 31 with respect to the elevating support 26, a rotating drum 33, and a wire 6. ing. The elevating mechanism 24 moves up and down while maintaining the elevating body 31 in a substantially horizontal posture by rotating the rotating drum 33 forward and backward by the elevating drive motor 32 and simultaneously winding and unwinding the four wires 6. It is configured. Thereby, the holding part 4 is raised / lowered with respect to the front and rear frame 21.
In this embodiment, an example in which the wire 6 is wound around the rotating drum 33 is shown. However, for example, the belt 31 can be wound around the rotating drum 33 to move the lifting body 31 up and down. Can also be used.

The grip portion 4 is provided so as to be pivotable about the vertical axis by a rotary shaft 34 with respect to the elevating body 31. A turning drive motor 35 (corresponding to a position adjusting means) for rotating the rotation shaft 34 around the vertical axis is provided. The grip portion 4 is turned around the vertical axis with respect to the front and rear frame body 21.
The grip portion 4 is provided with a pair of grippers 4 a that grip the flange 5 a of the container 5. Then, the gripping posture in which the pair of gripping tools 4a swings toward each other by the forward / reverse rotation of the gripping motor 41 and grips the flange 5a, and the pair of gripping tools 4a swings in the direction away from each other to grip the grip. It is configured to be switchable between a release posture and a release posture.

As shown in FIG. 4, the moving vehicle 3 is provided with a cart control unit 36 that controls the moving operation of the moving vehicle 3 and the like. The control unit and the computer described in this specification have a CPU, a memory, and a communication unit, and store an algorithm for executing the functions described in this specification. The carriage control unit 36 is configured to move the mobile vehicle 3 based on instructions from a management computer that manages the operation of the entire article transport facility and detection information of various sensors provided on the mobile vehicle 3. 4, lifting / lowering operation of the gripping portion 4, position adjustment operation of the movable vehicle 3 in the lateral width direction, turning operation of the gripping portion 4 around the vertical axis, and switching between the gripping posture and the release posture of the gripping portion 4. It is configured.

As various sensors, a stop plate detection sensor 37 that detects a stop plate installed on the side of the guide rail 2 and the like, and a lift amount detection sensor 38 that detects the lift amount of the grip portion 4 with respect to the reference lift position of the mobile vehicle 3 ( A horizontal movement amount detection sensor 39 for detecting a movement amount of the gripping part 4 in the horizontal width direction of the movable vehicle 3 with respect to a lateral width reference position (for example, the center position) of the movable vehicle 3, and a movable vehicle. 3, the amount of rotation in the rotational direction around the vertical axis of the gripper 4 with respect to the reference rotational position 3 (for example, the position where the lateral width direction and the front-rear direction of the mobile vehicle 3 coincide with the lateral width direction of the gripper 4 and the front-rear direction). A rotation amount detection sensor 40 for detection is provided.
For the stop plate, a target stop position corresponding to the installation position of each station 7 is defined on the route of the guide rail 2, and a stop plate is provided at each target stop position. The lift amount detection sensor 38, the lateral movement amount detection sensor 39, and the rotation amount detection sensor 40 are constituted by, for example, rotary encoders provided in the lift drive motor 32, the slide drive motor 28, and the turning drive motor 35, respectively. Has been.

For example, a transfer command for transferring the container 5 from the transfer-source station 7 to the transfer-destination station 7 in a state where the transfer-source and transfer-destination stations 7 are specified from the plurality of stations 7 is commanded from the management computer. In this case, first, the cart controller 36 stops the movement of the moving vehicle 3 when the stop plate installed at the target stop position of the transport station 7 is detected by the stop plate detection sensor 37, and the transport source is stopped. The moving vehicle 3 is stopped at the target stop position of the station 7. And the control part 36 for carts detects the detection information of the raising / lowering detection sensor 38 so that the holding | grip part 4 may be lowered | hung to the target transfer height from the reference | standard raising position in the state which stopped the moving vehicle 3 in the target stop position. The operation of the lift drive motor 32 is controlled based on the above. When the gripping unit 4 is positioned at the target transfer height, the cart control unit 36 operates the gripping motor 41 to switch the pair of gripping tools 4a to the gripping posture, and moves the flange 5a of the container 5 to the pair of gripping tools 4a. To receive the container 5. Thereafter, the cart control unit 36 controls the operation of the lift drive motor 32 based on the detection information of the lift amount detection sensor 38 so as to raise the grip 4 from the target transfer height to the reference lift position. The movement operation of the moving vehicle 3 is controlled so that the moving vehicle 3 is moved to the target stop position of the transfer destination station 7. When the moving vehicle 3 stops at the target stop position of the transfer destination station 7, the cart control unit 36 performs the lifting / lowering operation of the gripping unit 4 and the gripping motor 41 as in the case of receiving the container 5 from the transfer source station 7. By controlling the operation of, the container 5 is configured to be unloaded at the transfer destination station 7.

When the transfer work mode is commanded, the cart control unit 36 is configured to carry out the transfer process of the container 5 from the transfer source station 7 to the transfer destination station 7 as described above. The cart control unit 36 is provided with a learning mode separately from the transfer work mode, and is configured to perform the learning process by switching to the learning mode before performing the transfer process in the transfer work mode. .
In the learning process, the target transfer height with respect to the station 7 from the reference ascending position in a state where the moving vehicle 3 is stopped at the target stop position with respect to the station 7 in order to exchange the container 5 with each station 7 appropriately. The amount of position adjustment in the horizontal direction when the gripper 4 is moved up and down with respect to the station 7 in a state where the moving vehicle 3 is stopped at the target stop position with respect to the station 7 is learned. Is configured to learn.

The learning device in the article transport facility according to the present invention is a device for performing this learning process, and includes a first learning member 42 (corresponding to a learning detector) that can be attached to the station 7 and a grip portion 4. A second learning member 43 (corresponding to a learning member) that can be gripped is provided. In addition, by controlling the movement operation of the moving vehicle 3 and the lifting / lowering operation of the gripping portion 4 with the first learning member 42 attached to the station 7 and the gripping portion 4 gripping the second learning member 43. A learning control means 44 for performing learning processing and an artificially operated remote controller 45 (corresponding to the instruction means) for instructing the learning control means 44 in a learning mode are provided. The remote controller 45 is a conventional controller and includes a switch such as an operation button, a wired or wireless communication unit, and other necessary circuits. However, the remote controller 45 does not include a CPU or a memory. Good.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first learning member 42 is configured by a plate-like body, and a plurality of long hole-like groove portions 46 that engage with the respective engagement pins P provided in the station 7 (3 One) is formed. Accordingly, the first learning member 42 is configured to be attached in a state of being positioned with respect to the station 7 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The first learning member 42 is provided with a detection mark 47 having a square shape in plan view at the center position thereof, and the detection mark 47 in a state where the first learning member 42 is attached to the station 7. Is configured to indicate the target transfer reference position.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second learning member 43 includes a plate-shaped lower frame body 48, a plate-shaped upper frame body 49, and the lower frame body 48 and the upper frame body 49 spaced apart from each other. And a plurality of rod-like connecting frame bodies 50 connected to each other. The second learning member 43 preferably has the same height and weight as the container 5. A flange 49a similar to that of the container 5 is provided on the upper part of the upper frame 49, and the grip portion 4 is configured to grip the second learning member 43 by gripping the flange 49a with a pair of grippers 4a. Has been. In a space between the lower frame body 48 and the upper frame body 49, a camera 51 (corresponding to an imaging unit) having an imaging direction downward at a central portion in plan view, and illumination that illuminates an imaging range of the camera 51 A device (LED device) 52, an image processing device 53 capable of outputting information obtained by image processing of information captured by the camera 51, a learning member control unit 54 for controlling the imaging operation and the like of the camera 51, and downward Various types of information can be wirelessly communicated between the laser distance measuring sensor 55 that projects the distance measuring light to detect the distance to the distance measuring object on the lower side, the cart control unit 36 and the remote controller 45. Communication device 56 is provided. As the camera 51, a conventional camera such as a CCD camera can be used. The lower frame body 48 is provided with three contact sensors 57 that detect contact with a measurement object on the lower side while penetrating in the vertical direction. The three contact sensors 57 are arranged such that each installation position is located at a triangular corner in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 4, the learning member control unit 54 controls the operation of the camera 51, the illumination device 52, and the communication device 56, and also outputs information output from the image processing device 53 and detection by the laser distance sensor 55. Information and detection information of the contact sensor 57 are input. Further, the learning member control unit 54 can communicate the detection information of the laser distance measuring sensor 55 and the contact sensor 57 to the cart control unit 36 or receive a command from the cart control unit 36 through the communication device 56. Thus, the information obtained by the image processing device 53 from the imaging information captured by the camera 51 is communicated to the cart control unit 36.

The learning control means 44 is configured to move the moving vehicle 3, operate the lifting / lowering drive motor 32 that moves the gripping portion 4 up and down, operate the slide driving motor 28 that adjusts the position of the gripping portion 4 in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3, The learning process is performed by controlling the operation of the turning drive motor 35 for adjusting the position of the grip 4 in the rotational direction around the vertical axis and the imaging operation of the camera 51. The learning control unit 44 includes a cart control unit 36 and a learning member control unit 54.

The remote controller 45 selects which station 7 is to be a learning process target among the plurality of stations 7 by the operator operating the operation unit 58, and in which order the learning process is performed on the selected station 7. A learning mode can be instructed to the learning control means 44 in a state where it is specified whether to perform the learning. The remote controller 45 allows the operator to operate the acceleration lowering button 59 of the operation unit 58 to increase the acceleration lowering speed (for example, 6.0 m / min) faster than the set lowering speed (for example, 1.2 m / min). ) In order to lower the grip 4, the learning control means 44 is configured to be switchable between a command state in which an instruction to increase / decrease the command is issued and a non-command state in which the instruction to increase / decrease the command is not performed. Then, the remote controller 45 is switched from the non-command state in which the operator presses the speed-up / down button 59 to the command state in accordance with the manual operation from the command state to the non-command state. It is comprised so that it may return to a state. That is, the remote controller 45 is in a command state only when the speed-up / down button 59 is pressed by the operator, and is in a non-command state when the pressing operation is released.

The learning control means 44 has a learning process instructed by the remote controller 45 in a state where the first learning member 42 is attached to the station 7 and the second learning member 43 is gripped by the grip portion 4. Is configured to run.

Hereinafter, the learning process for one station 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When learning processing is performed on a plurality of stations 7, the learning processing described below is repeatedly performed.
First, the learning control means 44 performs a moving process for controlling the moving operation of the moving vehicle 3 based on the detection information of the stop plate detection sensor 37 in order to move the moving vehicle 3 to the target stop position with respect to the station 7 (# 1). ). Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the learning control unit 44 lowers the gripping unit 4 at the set lowering speed with the gripping unit 4 adjusted to the reference adjustment position by the slide driving motor 28 and the turning driving motor 35. In order to do this, a gripping part lowering process for controlling the operation of the lifting drive motor 32 is performed (# 2). In this way, the learning control unit 44 performs the lowering process by performing the movement process and the grip part lowering process. Here, the reference adjustment position is, for example, that the center position of the grip portion 4 coincides with the center position of the mobile vehicle 3 in the lateral width direction of the movable vehicle 3 and the lateral width direction and the front and rear direction of the grip portion 4 in the rotational direction around the vertical axis. It is assumed that the direction coincides with the lateral width direction and the front-rear direction of the moving vehicle 3.

If the remote controller 45 does not instruct an increase / decrease command during execution of the gripping part lowering process, the learning control unit 44 continues to lower the gripping part 4 at the set lowering speed. When the acceleration / decrease command is instructed, an acceleration process for controlling the operation of the lifting / lowering drive motor 32 is performed in order to lower the grip portion 4 at an acceleration / lowering speed faster than the set lowering speed (# 3 to # 3). # 5).
In this way, the learning control means 44 lowers the grip portion 4 at an acceleration / lowering speed faster than the set lowering speed when a speed-up / down command is commanded by the remote controller 45 during the lowering process. Thus, the operation of the lifting drive motor 32 is controlled. As a result, the grip portion 4 can be lowered at a faster lowering speed by a simple operation in which the operator commands an increase / decrease command using the remote controller 45, and the time required to lower the grip portion can be shortened. it can.

As shown in FIG. 10, the learning control unit 44 detects that all of the three contact sensors 57 provided on the second learning member 43 are in contact with the upper surface of the first learning member 42. When detecting that the bottom of the second learning member 43 has landed on the upper surface of the first learning member 42 of the station 7, the lowering drive motor 32 stops the lowering of the grip portion 4, and the remote controller 45 Then, it is determined whether or not a speed increase / decrease command has been issued (# 6, # 7).
If the learning controller 44 detects the bottom of the second learning member 43 and the remote controller 45 does not instruct an increase / decrease command, the learning control unit 44 is based on the detection information of the elevation detection sensor 38 at that time. Then, a descent amount calculation process for obtaining the target descent amount is performed (# 8). Here, for the calculation of the target lowering amount, for example, the lowering amount from the reference ascending position until the bottom of the second learning member 43 is detected is obtained as it is as the target lowering amount, or the correction amount is added to the lowering amount. Can be obtained as the target descent amount.

The three contact sensors 57 are arranged so that each installation position is located at a triangular corner in plan view, and the three contact sensors 57 are arranged in a state of being distributed in a balanced manner in the horizontal direction. It is installed. On the condition that all of the three contact sensors 57 are in contact with the upper surface of the first learning member 42, the bottom of the second learning member 43 is placed on the upper surface of the first learning member 42 of the station 7. Therefore, even when the second learning member 43 is tilted, it can be accurately detected that the bottom portion of the second learning member 43 has landed. Thereby, even when the second learning member 43 is tilted, an accurate target lowering amount can be obtained.

Conversely, when the learning controller 44 detects the bottom of the second learning member 43 and the remote controller 45 is instructed to increase and decrease the speed, the learning control unit 44 abnormally stops the learning process as an abnormal state ( # 9).

The learning control means 44 is for raising and lowering driving based on the detection information of the raising and lowering detection sensor 38 so as to raise and lower the grip portion 4 so that the second learning member 43 is positioned at a target height with respect to the first learning member 42. The operation of the motor 32 is controlled (# 10). At this time, the learning control unit 44 confirms whether the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height based on the detection information of the laser distance measuring sensor 55. Here, the target height is determined so that the distance between the camera 51 and the detection mark 47 becomes an optimum distance when the camera 51 captures the detection mark 47. For example, the target height is used for the second learning. This is a position where the grip portion 4 is raised by a set height (for example, 3 mm) from the position where the bottom of the member 43 is detected. In this way, the learning control unit 44 performs the positioning process by moving the grip part 4 up and down so that the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height, the movement process, the grip part lowering process, and the target height.

The learning control means 44 performs a first imaging process for controlling the imaging operation of the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47 in a state where the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height, and the first imaging is performed. Based on the imaging information captured by the processing, a deviation amount calculation process is performed to obtain a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position defined at the center of the captured image range and the detection mark 47 (# 11, # 12). Here, in a state where the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height, the learning control unit 44 waits for a set time (for example, 10 seconds) so that the shaking of the grip portion 4 is settled, and then performs the first imaging. Processing is performed, and the influence of the shaking of the grip portion 4 is eliminated as much as possible to obtain the reference position deviation amount with high accuracy.

The learning control unit 44 obtains the reference position deviation amount based on the imaging information of the camera 51 by the image processing device 53 in the deviation amount calculation processing. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the learning control unit 44 uses the lateral width deviation amount α in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3 between the detection mark 47 and the imaging reference position as a reference positional deviation amount (see FIG. 11A). ), A rotational displacement amount β (see FIG. 11B) in the rotation direction around the vertical axis between the detection mark 47 and the imaging reference position, and the moving vehicle 3 between the detection mark 47 and the imaging reference position. It is configured to obtain a front-rear displacement amount γ (see FIG. 11C) in the front-rear direction. In FIG. 11, the X axis indicates the lateral direction of the mobile vehicle 3, and the Y axis indicates the front-rear direction of the mobile vehicle 3. A square-shaped reference imaging mark 60 (corresponding to the imaging reference position) is defined in the center of the captured image range of the camera 51, and the reference imaging mark 60 has the same shape and the same size as the detection mark 47. It has been established.
The learning control unit 44 obtains a lateral width deviation amount α, a rotational deviation amount β, and a front-rear deviation amount γ by comparing the relative positions of the reference imaging mark 60 and the detection mark 47. The lateral displacement amount α can be obtained, for example, from the distance in the X-axis direction between the center P1 of the reference imaging mark 60 and the center P2 of the detection mark 47. The rotational deviation amount β can be obtained, for example, by the angle in the rotational direction around the vertical axis between the point P3 on the Y axis of the reference imaging mark 60 and the point P4 of the detection mark 47 corresponding to P3. . The forward / backward displacement amount γ can be obtained, for example, from the distance in the Y-axis direction between the center P5 of the reference imaging mark 60 and the center P6 of the detection mark 47.

The learning control means 44 determines that the lateral deviation amount α and the rotational deviation amount β obtained by the deviation amount calculation processing are within a setting allowable range (for example, the lateral deviation amount α is ± 0.3 mm and the rotational deviation amount β is ± 0.3 °. ) Is within the set allowable range (for example, ± 5.0 mm), and if the forward / backward shift amount γ is within the set allowable range, the shift amount calculation processing is performed. Position adjustment amount calculation processing for obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained lateral width deviation amount α and rotation deviation amount β is performed (# 13 to # 15). Here, regarding the calculation of the position adjustment amount, the lateral width shift amount α and the rotational shift amount β obtained in the shift amount calculation process can be directly calculated as the position adjustment amount. In this manner, the learning control unit 44 performs the first deviation amount calculation process by performing the deviation amount calculation process and the position adjustment amount calculation process.
The learning control unit 44 abnormally stops the learning process as an abnormal state when the front-rear deviation amount γ is out of the setting allowable range (# 16). In this abnormal state, assuming that the target stop position for stopping the moving vehicle 3 is shifted in the front-rear direction of the moving vehicle 3, the learning process is performed again after performing the position adjustment operation of the stop plate.

The learning control unit 44 causes the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47 multiple times in the first imaging process. The learning control unit 44 controls the operation of the camera 51 to capture the detection mark 47 100 times in 10 seconds, for example. The learning control means 44 is an imaging that indicates the amount of deviation in the horizontal direction between the detection mark 47 and the imaging reference position in each of a plurality of (for example, 100) imaging in the deviation amount calculation processing in the first deviation amount calculation processing. The unit deviation amount data is obtained, and the data within the measurement effective range is extracted by excluding data whose deviation amount is outside the measurement effective range from the obtained plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data, and the extracted imaging unit deviation is obtained. If the amount data amount is equal to or greater than a set number (for example, 30), the plurality of imaging unit displacement amount data is averaged to obtain the reference position displacement amount. The learning control unit 44 can obtain, for example, an average value of a plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data as averaging, and obtain the average value as a reference position deviation amount.

If the lateral deviation amount α and the rotational deviation amount β obtained by the deviation amount calculation process are out of the setting allowable range, the learning control unit 44 allows the number of executions of the deviation amount calculation process executed after the correction positioning process is executed. If the number of times (for example, 4 times) has not been reached, the lateral movement amount detection is performed in order to adjust the position of the second learning member 43 based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging process. Based on the detection information of the sensor 39 and the rotation amount detection sensor 40, a correction positioning process for controlling the operation of the slide drive motor 28 and the turning drive motor 35 is performed (# 18). The learning control unit 44 obtains the reference position deviation amount obtained in the deviation amount calculation process as the movement adjustment amount in the correction positioning process. That is, the learning control unit 44 obtains the lateral width deviation amount α and the rotational deviation amount β obtained by the deviation amount calculation processing as movement adjustment amounts, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. On the other hand, when the lateral width deviation amount α and the rotational deviation amount β are out of the setting allowable range, the center P1 of the reference imaging mark 60 and the center P2 of the detection mark 47 coincide as shown in FIG. As described above, the position of the grip portion 4 is adjusted in the width direction of the moving vehicle 3 so that the point P3 on the Y axis of the reference imaging mark 60 and the point P4 of the detection mark 47 coincide with each other in the rotational direction around the vertical axis. The position of the grip 4 is adjusted.

The learning control means 44 raises the grip part 4 by a set amount (for example, 30 mm), then lowers the grip part 4 until the bottom of the second learning member 43 is detected, and further sets the second height to the target height. In order to raise and lower the grip portion 4 so as to position the learning member 43, a retry process for controlling the operation of the raising / lowering drive motor 32 is performed based on the detection information of the elevation detection sensor 38 (# 19). The learning control unit 44 performs a second imaging process for controlling the imaging operation of the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47 in a state where the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height (# 20). Based on the imaging information imaged in the second imaging process, the deviation amount calculation process for obtaining the reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position defined at the center of the captured image range and the detection mark 47 is performed again. (# 12). Here, in the state where the second learning member 43 is positioned at the target height, the learning control unit 44 waits for a set time (for example, 10 seconds) so that the shaking of the grip portion 4 is settled, and then performs the second imaging. Processing is performed, and the influence of the shaking of the grip portion 4 is eliminated as much as possible to obtain the reference position deviation amount with high accuracy.

The learning control unit 44 determines that the lateral width deviation amount α and the rotational deviation amount β obtained in the second deviation amount calculation process are within a setting allowable range (for example, the lateral deviation amount α is ± 0.3 mm, and the rotational deviation amount β is ± 0. 3 °), it is determined whether or not the forward / backward displacement amount γ obtained by the second displacement amount calculation process is within a setting allowable range (for example, ± 5.0 mm). If it is within the range, position adjustment amount calculation processing for obtaining a position adjustment amount from the lateral width deviation amount α and rotation deviation amount β obtained in the second deviation amount calculation processing and the movement adjustment amount in the correction positioning processing is performed (# 13 to # 15). Here, regarding the calculation of the position adjustment amount, in the lateral width direction of the moving vehicle 3, if the lateral width deviation amount α obtained by the deviation amount calculation processing and the adjustment amount in the movement adjustment amount are in the same direction, the lateral width deviation amount α. And the adjustment amount are added to obtain the position adjustment amount, and if it is in the reverse direction, the position adjustment amount can be obtained from the difference between the lateral width deviation amount α and the adjustment amount, and it can also move in the rotation direction around the vertical axis. The position adjustment amount can be obtained in the same manner as in the lateral width direction of the car 3. In this manner, the learning control unit 44 performs the second deviation amount calculation process by performing the deviation amount calculation process and the position adjustment amount calculation process.

After the learning control unit 44 obtains the target lowering amount, the reference position obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging process by performing the first imaging process and the first deviation amount calculation process. If the deviation amount is within the set allowable range, the detection mark 47 is assumed to be located at the center of the captured image range, and the reference positional deviation amount is accurately obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process. Thus, the position adjustment amount can be accurately obtained from the obtained reference position deviation amount. On the other hand, when the reference positional deviation amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process is out of the setting allowable range, it is determined that the detection mark 47 is positioned at the end of the captured image range. Then, the correction positioning process is performed, the position of the second learning member 43 is adjusted based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process, and the detection mark 47 is captured. It can be located in the middle of the range. Then, the learning control unit 44 performs the second imaging process and the second deviation amount calculation process in a state where the correction positioning process is performed, so that the reference position deviation is based on the imaging information imaged in the second imaging process. The amount can be obtained accurately, and the position adjustment amount can be obtained accurately by taking into account not only the reference position deviation amount but also the movement adjustment amount.

Further, after performing the correction positioning process (# 18), the learning control means 44 determines whether or not the forward / backward deviation amount γ is within a set allowable range (for example, ± 5.0 mm) in the second deviation amount calculation process. Therefore, for example, even if the front-rear deviation amount γ is out of the set allowable range (for example, ± 5.0 mm) in the first deviation amount calculation process, by performing the correction positioning process, the second deviation amount calculation process The forward / backward displacement amount γ may fall within a setting allowable range (for example, ± 5.0 mm). Therefore, the displacement of the moving vehicle 3 in the front-rear direction can be eliminated by executing the correction positioning process, and the position adjustment amount can be learned without wastefully making an abnormal state.

The learning control unit 44 causes the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47 multiple times in the second imaging process. The learning control unit 44 controls the operation of the camera 51 to capture the detection mark 47 100 times in 10 seconds, for example. The learning control means 44 is an imaging that indicates the amount of deviation in the horizontal direction between the detection mark 47 and the imaging reference position in each of a plurality of (eg, 100) imaging in the deviation amount calculation processing in the second deviation amount calculation processing. The unit deviation amount data is obtained, and the data within the measurement effective range is extracted by excluding data whose deviation amount is outside the measurement effective range from the obtained plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data, and the extracted imaging unit deviation is obtained. If the amount data amount is equal to or greater than a set number (for example, 30), the plurality of imaging unit displacement amount data is averaged to obtain the reference position displacement amount. The learning control unit 44 can obtain, for example, an average value of a plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data as averaging, and obtain the average value as a reference position deviation amount.

The learning control unit 44 abnormally stops the learning process as an abnormal state when the number of executions of the deviation amount calculation process executed after the correction positioning process has reached an allowable number (for example, 4 times) (# 21). In this way, when the total number of second deviation amount calculation processes reaches the allowable number or more, the learning control unit 44 is in an abnormal state where the reference position deviation amount does not fall within the set allowable range even if the correction positioning process is repeated. To do.

The learning control unit 44 includes a first deviation amount calculation process and a position adjustment amount calculation process based on the second imaging process, or a first deviation amount calculation process based on the execution of the deviation amount calculation process and the position adjustment amount calculation process based on the first imaging process. When the second deviation amount calculation process is performed by performing the above, the grip part ascending process for controlling the operation of the lifting drive motor 32 is performed so as to raise the grip part 4 at a set ascending speed faster than the set descending speed (# 22).

Thus, in the learning apparatus in the article transport facility according to the present invention, the learning control unit 44 performs the positioning process, the first imaging process, and the first deviation amount calculation process, thereby performing the first imaging process. If the reference positional deviation amount obtained based on the captured image information is within the setting allowable range, the detection mark 47 is assumed to be located in the center of the captured image range, and the image captured in the first imaging process is captured. The reference position deviation amount can be accurately obtained based on the information, and the position adjustment amount can be accurately obtained from the obtained reference position deviation amount. On the other hand, when the reference positional deviation amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process is out of the setting allowable range, it is determined that the detection mark 47 is positioned at the end of the captured image range. Then, the correction positioning process is performed, the position of the second learning member 43 is adjusted based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process, and the detection mark 47 is captured. It can be located in the middle of the range. Then, the learning control unit 44 performs the second imaging process and the second deviation amount calculation process in a state where the correction positioning process is performed, so that the reference position deviation is based on the imaging information imaged in the second imaging process. The amount can be obtained accurately, and the position adjustment amount can be obtained accurately by taking into account not only the reference position deviation amount but also the movement adjustment amount.

Further, the learning method in the article transport facility according to the present invention targets the moving vehicle 3 in a state where the first learning member 42 is attached to the station 7 and the second learning member 43 is held by the holding portion 4. The second learning member 43 is positioned at a target height with respect to the first learning member 42 while being stopped at the stop position and the gripping portion is adjusted to the reference adjustment position by the slide drive motor 28 and the turning drive motor 35. A positioning step for raising and lowering the grip portion 4 is performed. Then, after performing the positioning step, the imaging reference position and the detection are detected based on the first imaging step for imaging the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47 and the imaging information captured in the first imaging step. A reference displacement amount in the horizontal direction with respect to the mark 47 for use is obtained, and a first displacement amount calculation step for obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position displacement amount is performed. Further, when the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation step is out of the setting allowable range, based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging step. In order to adjust the position of the second learning jig 43, a correction positioning step of operating the slide drive motor 28 and the turning drive motor 35 is performed. Then, after performing the correction positioning step, based on the second imaging step for imaging the camera 51 to image the detection mark 47, and the imaging information captured in the second imaging step, the imaging reference position and A second displacement amount calculation step is performed for obtaining a reference position displacement amount in the horizontal direction with respect to the detection mark 47 and obtaining a position adjustment amount from the obtained reference position displacement amount and the movement adjustment amount.
[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, all of the lateral width deviation amount, the rotation deviation amount, and the front-back deviation amount are obtained as the reference position deviation amount. For example, any one of the three is obtained. Alternatively, it is possible to appropriately change in which direction the amount of deviation in the horizontal direction is obtained as the reference position deviation amount.

(2) In the above embodiment, the retry processing is performed after the correction positioning processing is performed. However, as the retry processing, the correction positioning processing is performed in a state where the grip portion 4 is raised by a set amount (for example, 30 mm). You can also

(3) In the above embodiment, the learning control means 44 moves to move the detection mark 47 from the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process to the center of the captured image range in the correction positioning process. The adjustment amount may be obtained.
(4) In the above embodiment, the transfer support portion is exemplified as the station 7. However, for example, when an article support portion supported in a suspended state on the ceiling side is provided below the guide rail 8, The article support portion may be a transfer support portion. Therefore, the transfer support part may be any object to which the movable vehicle 3 is to transfer articles, and various article support parts can be applied.

The present invention can be used as a learning device or a learning method in an article conveyance facility used in a clean room or other article processing facilities.

2 Movement route (guide rail)
3 moving vehicle 4 gripping part 5 article (container)
7 Transfer support (station)
24 Elevating means (elevating mechanism)
28 Position adjustment means (slide movement mechanism)
35 Position adjustment means (turning drive motor)
42 Learning object (first learning member)
43 learning member (second learning member)
47 Detection mark 51 Imaging means (camera)

Claims (12)

A mobile vehicle comprising a gripping part for gripping an article in a suspended state and configured to move along a moving path;
Elevating means for elevating and lowering the grip part relative to the moving vehicle;
Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the grip portion in the horizontal direction with respect to the moving vehicle is provided,
By moving the gripping part up and down while the moving vehicle is stopped at the target stop position on the movement path, the article is transferred to and from the transfer support part disposed on the lower side of the movement path. A learning device in an article transport facility,
A position corresponding to the target transfer reference position in the horizontal direction in the transfer support portion is displayed when the transfer support portion is attached to the transfer support portion and is attached to the transfer support portion. A first learning member provided with a detection mark;
A second learning member that is configured to be gripped by the gripping unit and includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the detection mark by capturing an image below the gripping unit while being gripped by the gripping unit;
By controlling the moving operation of the moving vehicle, the lifting operation of the lifting means, the adjustment operation of the position adjusting means, and the imaging operation of the imaging means, the moving vehicle is brought into a target stop position with respect to the transfer support portion Learning control means for learning a horizontal position adjustment amount when raising and lowering the gripping portion with respect to the transfer support portion in a stopped state;
The learning control means is
The second learning member gripped by the gripper in a state in which the moving vehicle is moved to the target stop position with respect to the transfer support and the gripper is adjusted to a reference adjustment position by the position adjusting means. Positioning process for raising and lowering the grip portion so as to be positioned at a target height with respect to the first learning member attached to the transfer support portion,
A first imaging process for causing the imaging unit to image the detection mark after performing the positioning process;
Based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging process, a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position defined in the center of the captured image range and the detection mark is obtained, and the obtained reference A first deviation amount calculation process for obtaining the position adjustment amount from a position deviation amount; and
When the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process is out of a setting allowable range, based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging process. Correction positioning processing for operating the position adjusting means to adjust the position of the second learning member.
A second imaging process for imaging the imaging means to image the detection mark after the execution of the correction positioning process; and
Based on the imaging information imaged in the second imaging process, a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position defined at the center of the captured image range and the detection mark is obtained, and the obtained reference A learning apparatus in an article conveyance facility configured to execute a second deviation amount calculation process for obtaining the position adjustment amount from a position deviation amount and the movement adjustment amount. 2. The article transport facility according to claim 1, wherein the learning control unit is configured to obtain, as the movement adjustment amount, a reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation process in the correction positioning process. Learning device. The learning control unit, when the reference position deviation amount obtained in the second deviation amount calculation process is out of the setting allowable range, the correction positioning process, the second imaging process, and the second deviation. The learning apparatus for an article conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the learning apparatus in the article transport facility is configured to execute an amount calculation process again and to set an abnormal state when the number of executions of the second deviation amount calculation process reaches an allowable number or more. . The position adjusting means is configured to be capable of adjusting the position of the gripping portion in the horizontal direction of the moving vehicle in the horizontal direction with respect to the moving vehicle, and capable of turning the gripping portion around a vertical axis.
In the first deviation amount calculation process and the second deviation amount calculation process, the learning control unit uses the detection mark and the imaging reference position in the horizontal width direction of the moving vehicle as the reference position deviation amount. The learning apparatus for an article conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the learning apparatus is configured to obtain a deviation amount and a rotational deviation amount in a rotation direction around a vertical axis between the detection mark and the imaging reference position. In the first deviation amount calculation process and the second deviation amount calculation process, the learning control unit performs front and rear in the front-rear direction of the moving vehicle between the detection mark and the imaging reference position as the reference position deviation amount. The amount of deviation is obtained, and when the obtained amount of front-rear deviation is within the set allowable range, the position adjustment amount is calculated, and if the obtained amount of front-rear deviation is outside the set allowable range, an abnormal state is assumed. The learning apparatus in the article conveyance facility according to claim 4, which is configured as follows. In the first imaging process and the second imaging process, the learning control unit causes the imaging unit to image a plurality of times to detect the detection mark, and the first deviation amount calculation process and the second deviation. In the amount calculation processing, imaging unit deviation amount data indicating a deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the detection mark and the imaging reference position in each of a plurality of times of imaging is obtained, and the obtained plurality of imaging unit deviation amount data Of these, if the amount of deviation is outside the effective measurement range and data within the effective measurement range is extracted, and the number of extracted imaging unit deviation amounts is greater than or equal to the set number, the plurality of imaging unit deviations The learning apparatus for an article conveying facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the learning apparatus is configured to average the quantity data to obtain the reference positional deviation amount. Manual operation command means;
Elevating amount detecting means for detecting the elevating amount of the grip portion relative to the moving vehicle is provided,
The learning control means lowers the gripping portion from a reference ascent position to a target transfer height with respect to the transfer support portion in a state where the moving vehicle is stopped at the target stop position with respect to the transfer support portion. Learn the target descent amount when
When a learning mode is commanded by the manual operation command means in a state where the gripping unit grips the second learning member, the mobile vehicle is stopped so as to stop at the target stop position. During the execution of the lowering process for controlling the operation and controlling the operation of the elevating means so as to lower the gripping part at the set lowering speed, and at the bottom of the second learning member When the contact detection means provided detects that the bottom of the second learning member has reached the transfer support part, the target lowering is performed based on the detection information of the lift amount detection means at that time. It is configured to perform a descending amount calculation process for obtaining an amount,
The command means has a command state in which a speed-up / down command is given to the learning control means and a non-command to not perform the speed-up / down command in order to lower the gripping portion at an acceleration / down speed faster than the set lower speed. It is configured to be switchable to the state,
The learning control means operates the elevating means to lower the gripping portion at the accelerated lowering speed when the commanded lowering instruction is commanded by the commanding means during execution of the lowering process. The learning apparatus in the article conveyance facility according to claim 1, which is configured to control If the learning control means detects that the bottom part of the second learning member is bottomed by the contact detection means, and if the speed increase / decrease command is commanded by the command means, an abnormality occurs. The learning apparatus in the article transport facility according to claim 7, wherein the learning apparatus is configured to be in a state. The command means is switched to the command state in accordance with an artificial operation from the non-command state to the command state, and returns to the non-command state by releasing the manual operation from the non-command state to the command state. The learning apparatus in the article conveyance facility according to claim 7, wherein the learning apparatus is configured as described above. When the learning control means raises the gripping portion to the moving vehicle stopped at the target stop position, the learning control means moves the lifting means to raise the gripping portion at a set ascending speed faster than the set descending speed. The learning apparatus for an article conveying facility according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the learning apparatus is configured to perform a gripper ascending process for controlling operation. A mobile vehicle comprising a gripping part for gripping an article in a suspended state and configured to move along a moving path;
Elevating means for elevating and lowering the grip part relative to the moving vehicle;
Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the grip portion in the horizontal direction with respect to the moving vehicle is provided,
By moving the gripping part up and down while the moving vehicle is stopped at the target stop position on the movement path, the article is transferred to and from the transfer support part disposed on the lower side of the movement path. A learning method in an article transport facility,
A first learning member having a detection mark for displaying a position corresponding to a target transfer reference position in the horizontal direction in the transfer support unit is attached to the transfer support unit, and the gripping unit The movable vehicle is stopped at the target stop position and the position adjusting means in a state where a second learning member having an imaging means capable of imaging the lower part and imaging the detection mark is gripped by the grip portion. The gripping unit is moved up and down so that the second learning member is positioned at a target height with respect to the first learning member attached to the transfer support unit in a state where the gripping unit is adjusted to the reference adjustment position. A positioning step;
A first imaging step for imaging the imaging means to image the detection mark after performing the positioning step;
Based on the imaging information captured in the first imaging step, a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position determined in the center of the captured image range and the detection mark is obtained, and the obtained reference The amount of positional adjustment in the horizontal direction when the gripping part is raised and lowered with respect to the transfer support part in a state where the moving vehicle is stopped at the target stop position with respect to the transfer support part is obtained from the amount of displacement. Performing a first deviation amount calculating step; and
When the reference position deviation amount obtained in the first deviation amount calculation step is out of a setting allowable range, based on the movement adjustment amount obtained based on the imaging information imaged in the first imaging step. A correction positioning step of operating the position adjusting means to adjust the position of the second learning member;
A second imaging step for imaging the imaging means to image the detection mark after performing the correction positioning step;
Based on the imaging information captured in the second imaging step, a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position defined in the center of the captured image range and the detection mark is obtained, and the obtained reference A learning method in an article transport facility that performs a second deviation amount calculation step for obtaining the position adjustment amount from a position deviation amount and the movement adjustment amount. Manual operation command means;
Elevating amount detecting means for detecting the elevating amount of the grip portion relative to the moving vehicle is provided,
When the learning mode is commanded by the manual operation command means while the gripping part is gripping the second learning member, the mobile vehicle is controlled to stop at the target stop position. And a lowering step for controlling the operation of the elevating means to lower the gripping part at a set lowering speed, and a contact provided at the bottom of the second learning member during the lowering step. When it is detected by the contact detection means that the bottom of the second learning member has reached the transfer support part, a target lowering amount is obtained based on the detection information of the raising / lowering amount detection means at that time. The descent amount calculation step is executed,
The command means is switchable between a command state in which an increase / decrease command is issued and a non-command state in which the increase / decrease command is not performed in order to lower the gripping portion at an acceleration / decrease speed faster than the set lowering speed. Composed of
The operation of the lifting / lowering means is controlled so as to lower the gripping portion at the speed of decreasing speed when the speed increasing / decreasing command is commanded by the command means during the lowering step. The learning method in the article conveyance equipment according to 11.

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